Ball-operated mechanical toy



AFel. 1o, 1931. n C. ZABEL 1,792,346

BALL OPERATED MECHANICAL TOY Filed Jan. l2, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb.10, 1931. c. ZABEI.v

BALL OPERATED MECHANICAL TOY Filed Jan. l2, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2lNVENTOR 'provided a'toyhaving a'rever'sible' ball maga- Patented Feb.10, 1931 i narran lerares PATE 'CHARLES zABE-Lfor connoronrs,PENNSYLVANIA, AssIGNon-E ME- SNE AssiGN- E "FFICE MENTS. To WOLVERINESUPPLY a; YrrANUrncrruEine COMPANY, OEPITTSBURGH, i

l I ENNSYLVANIA BALL-orEEATEn M EcHANrcnnroY Application fried January 12, 192s. serial No; 246,152'.v

Tlhisin-vention relates to mechanical toys,

and-particularly to that class of toys wherein mechanical action issecured by the transfer of a ball from a higher plane to a lower one. gf Y o In toys of thislclass as now generally" constructed thereisprovided anelevated ball receiifing trough and YaA mechanism designed tobe operated when a ball is transferred from Vthe elevated trough toavertically swinging lever. The weight of the ball on the verticalzinewherein the entire' series of balls may be transferred from a lowerposition to an elevated position by'manual actuation' of the magazinewithout requiring that the oper- -ator-touchthe b allsor handle them inany '.way. l Y -V 'According to the present invention there isalsoprovided a novel escapement mecha-` nism for feeding-the ballsone'at a time to the `transfer lever which act'uates the toy.

VTheinvention further contemplates the provisionof a toy of novelconstruction and operationfwhich may be cheaply manufactured.

The invention may be readily understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings wherein Figure 1 is a front elevation of'a toy embodying myinvention; 4

Figure 2 is afront elevation of the actuating Vmechanism ofthe toy withthe toy figures removed;

, Figure 3 is a transverse section in the plane 4of line III-III ofFigure 1;v i

- Figure 4 is a" transverse vertical section in Vthe plane of lineVIV-,IVof Figurel;

Figure 5 is asimilar section in theplane of line V-V of Figure l; v

* Figure 6 is an 'elevation-of the ball magazine detached'from the toy;

igure 7 is a viewpartlyin section andpartly fin'elevation 'of ',.theball magazine shown in'Figure 6, the-.view being along the plane`offline VII-VII-of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is 'a view showing aslightly modified yform of toy;v and Figure9 is an enlarged elevational view of the escapement mechanism.

Thetoyl as shownin the drawings yis comprised of a basefmember 2 whichpreferably 5 which may be painted to form a'background for the action'ofthe toy. Secured by a pivot 6 tothe outside of the back plate or wall 5ball 4 magazine has a cross strip 7 through which the pivot "passes'.VAAt each end of theV -cross piecev 7 .is aclosedy chute or ball receivingtrough 8; The` chutes o r troughs 8 `di- A verge away from theme1`nber7f'lhe outer ends of themembers-S are connected vby a crossbrace 9. Each of the chutes or magazine'inembers 8 is closed at itsouter'end, as

indicated at 10 in Figure 6. Each of these 'magazine members has anopening 11 in the side face'thereof, asalso clearly shownin AFigures 6and 7. The openings 11 are in line with each other and withfthe pivot 6for vthe magazine assembly.V The inner` ends of the members 8 arefclosed by a partition 12, best shown in Figure 7, adjacent the opening11.

[in the back-Wan 5 in 1in@ with the pivot e is'an upperopening 13 whichregisters with vthe opening 11 of the uppermost memberV "81 of thereversible ymagazinel Correspond- `ingly positioned below the pivot Gisa lower opening 14 which'registers with the opening 1l ofthe lowermember 8-'of the magazine.

' IExtending forwardly from the upper opening 13 'isa narrowV projectionor lug 15 .with

anupwardly'turn'ed stop 16 at its outer end. For cooperation with the`lug l5 is'an escapement member 17 vpivoted to the'back wall 5 at 18.fThe escapement member 17 hasa forwardly projecting extension 19thereon.It

also has 'a' downwardly extending lug 19a thereon adapted to oscillateacross the open-k has downwardly turned' s`ide flanges 3 and 4. t

Mounted-against the Vrear iange 4 is a wallv `is a reversibleballmagazine. The reversible ing 13. The escapement member 17 vis providedwith an operating arm 2() with a lug 21 at the outermost end thereof.

Secured to the front of the back wall 5 in front of the lower opening 14is a receiving trough or pan 22 with an upstanding lug 23 thereon. Y Thepan 22 is inclined' toward the opening 14 so that balls which aredropped into it will roll through the opening 14 and into the lowerVmember 8 of the reversible magazine. Secured to the back wall 5 andprojecting forwardly therefrom is a supporting arch 24. A shaft 25 hasone end supv ported inthe arch 24 at 26 and has its other end supportedin a forwardly pressed portion 27 of theback wall 5. Pivotally supportedon the shaft 25 is an oscillating frame 28 having a depending. arm` 29.The shaft 25 passes'through alug at one end o f this frame at 30 andthrough the arm. 29vat 31, thereby -providin g the pivotal supporty forthe frame. Securedto the frame k28 is :an arm 32 whichhas a ballreceiving loop`33 atv lone end thereof.

rfhe lug 21 on the arm 2O ofthe escapement 'member 17 is located inthevpath of travel of the oscillating arm 32. vThe operation may beeasilyfollowed by reference to Figure 2. lVith the arm 32in the fullline position shown in VFigure 2, theescapement'member 17 is in itslowermost'position. The lug 15 is of just sufficient width to allow asingle ball to roll from the Vupper member 8. of the magazine throughtheupper port'13 onto the lug 15. The ball isretained on thelug 15 by theextension 19 of the escapement member 17. As the ball receiving end 33of the lever 32 is rockedvupwardly, the lug 21 engaging on the lever32causes the escape- ,ment member 17 to be lifted orswung about its pivot18. The extension 19 rocks part way across the opening 13 to` preventanother ball from pushing out, and whenthe escapement member 17 has beenliftedfar enough, the ball drops into the ball receiving loop 33 at theend ofthe lever 32, the lever then being rocked to the dotted lineposition shown in Figure 2 where the` ball Areceiving loop 33 is at theuppermost limit of its travel. The weight of the ball into the `loop 33causes the lever 32 to rock down. `When the lever 33 reaches the lowerlimit of its travel, as indicated by the second dotted line positionshown in Figure 2, the extension 23. of the pan 22 projects through theloop 33 and dislodges the ball therefrom. The ball drops into thepan 22and rolls from the pan through the port 14 into the 'lower member 8ofthe reversible magazine. WVhen. the ball has been .discharged from theend 33 ofthe lever, itis `overbalanced, by the mechanism hereinafterdescribed and swung upwardly to receive the next ball. and the cycle ofoperation is repeated; VThis action continues so long as any ballsremainin the upper-magazine 8. When frame 28 with the downwardlyvextending arm 29,/and this motion can be utilized to produce any desiredaction for the toy.

In the construction shown in Figure 1, the

toy figure at each end thereof to represent a seesaw. In'addition tothis, the supporti-ng arch 24 carries a Y shaped member 36. From eacharm ofthe Y is pivotally suspended a frame 37 and the frames `37 areconnected at' the lower ends by a swingmember 38. The swing member 38has a depending lug 39 thereon whichcarries a pin 40 projecting througha `slot 41 in the arm 29. The swing carries two figures 40, representingchildren seated in the swing. Then the lever 32 rocks, rocking theoscillating frame 28th'e arm k29 oscillates and imparts a vswinginglmovement to the frame 38.

In, addition to this the base 2 carries ya vertically extendingsupport42 from which is hung a swing 43. Each swing 43 has a figure 44seated therein. Depending from the swing 43 at 'one side thereof is anextension 45 that' on the swing frame 38.

- j The entirefaction of the toy as thus deframe 28 has a bar 35 securedthereto with a scribed depicts a playground. As the lever` 32 isactuated the swing 38 moves back and Vfor-th, the seesawv 35 rocks and,each of the swings-43 are oscillated. This is just one type of actionwhich may be utilized in the toy. In the arrangement showninrFigure8Ythe mechanism is the same as that previously described, and similarreference numeralslha've been used to represent the corresponding parts.vIn. this arrangement 32 is the oscillating lever with theball receivingloop 33 at itsl outer end. This lever is carried on a rocking frameconstruction 28 with a depending arn1'29. The arm 29 projects through aslot in the base 2. Mounted on the base at various points are toyfigures representing various artisans at work. Some of these -figureshave a lever 50 connected theretoV and extending through slots inthebase 2. The various levers 50 securedlto the different figures are allconnected tothe lower end of the ture gures'52 and 53 to ,alternatelyhit an anvil with hammers, whilethe ligure 54 has an'action simulating awood chopper'. F igure Y55 works a `saw 56, yand another figure 57 ismoved through the reciprocation of the saw.

The particular action or arrangement or disposition of the figures canbe widely varied, the particular arrangements shown beingmerely'illustrative of the principle of my invention. Any arrangement ofthe figures, or

any suitable 'single igure can be arranged on the base for operation.from the oscillating frame.

The toy can be cheaply constructed.Y Because of the provision ot thereversible ball magazine, the handling ofthe balls iseliminated. Theshifting oiv the magazine from one position to the other can be easilyAdone by evenl a verysmall child. To limit the reball at a time. Thelocation and arrangement of this escapement where it can be seen givesadded action to the toy.v a Y While I have specifically describedparticular embodiments of the invention, it willL be understood thatvarious changes and modications may be made in the construction andarrangement of par-ts withinthe contemplation of my invention andnnderthe scope of my appended claims.

I claim Y l. A vmechanical toy comprising a base, a ball operatedmechanism on the base, a vertical plate carried on the base having upperand lower openings therein, a ball escapement mechanism disposed infront of the upper opening, a ball receiving means in front of Y v thelower opening, and a magazine pivotally supported on said vertical platebetween the A(il) openings, said magazine having two ball receivingchannels with openings therein that register with the openings in theplate when the magazine is in either of its operating positions.

2. In a mechanical toy, a support, a vertical plate thereon, areversible ball magazine pivotally supported on one side of the plate,said magazine being movable between two operating positions, a balloperated mechanism on the other side ot the plate, said plate having anupper opening therein and av lower opening therein, a ball escapement.mechanism associated with the upper opening, a ball receiving meansassociated with the lower opening, said ball operated mechlever. vsimple, and allows vfor the release of only one vanisin includingaverticallyswinging lever! having a ball receiving Ameans at one :end

thereof, said end of the lever being movable i between theballescapement means and the `ball receiving means of the upper fandlower openingsrespectively, whereby it may receive a vball at the upper.opening anddischarge the ball at the lower opening. Y

1 3. .In amechanical toy, asupport, averti- .cal plate thereon, areversible ballmagazine pivotally supported on' one sident the plate,said magazine being` movable`A between two operating positions, aballoperated-mechanism on the other side of the plate, said platehavingannpper opening therein anda lower opening therein;l ballescapement mecha- 'nismassociated with the upper opening,` aballieceiving means associated with the lower opening, said balloperated mechanismincluding a vertically swinging lever having Y,

a ball receiving means at oneend thereof, said end of the lever beingmovable between the ball escapement means and the ball ,receiving meansofthe upper andlower .openings respectively, 4whereby. it may :receive avball at the upper opening and discharge 'the ball atthe lower opening,and a mechanism connected with and operated by the said In a mechanicaltoy, a base, a vertical platethereoii, said yplate havingy a balldeliveryfopening and a ball receiving opening therein, a reversiblemagazine at the back 0f the plate, av vertically swinging lever vmountedonthe supporty in front of said plate, one

'end of 'said leverbeingjmovable between the ball vdelivery openingandthe ball receiving opening, a ball supporting element onthe plateprojecting forwardly from the ball delivery opening, andan escapementmember -.pivotally .supportedk on the plate .movable from. a ballholding to a ballreleasingposition, said member having 'an extensionythereon adapted to move across thedelivery vopeningV when saidescapement member is roclred to a ball releasing position and to uncoverthe opening when the member is rocked toball retaining position, saidescapement member `also having a forwardly projecting extenv sionthereon for cooperation with the ball support when the escapement memberis in ball retaining position but being adapted to be moved away fromthe ball support when the escapement member is moved to ball releasingposition, and an extension on said escapement member for engagement withsaid lever whereby the escapement member is operated by oscillation ofsaid lever.

y 5. The combination with a ball operated mechanical toy having avertical plate theref' on, of a reversible ball magazine pivoted to oneside'of the plate, said ball magazine being movable from one operatingposition to another and having two ball retaining channels therein, oneof which is arranged to receive balls when the other is in position todeliver balls, 'said plate having an upper opening therein through whichballs pass from the magazine, said plate also having a lower openingtherein through which balls are deliveredV to the said magazine, and anescapement member cooperating with the upper opening.y

6; In a mechanical toy, a support, a ball Operated mechanism on thesupportincluding a rocking frame, a vertical flat plate on the support,a reversible ball lmagazine hav- `ing ball retaining channels -ontheback of the plate, said plate having an opening therein through whichballs may pass vfrom the magazine to the rocking frame of the toy,

and a single escapement element pivotally secured to the plate actuatedby the rocking frame for delivering balls one at a time t0 the rockingframe from anyof the ball retaining channels. f

7. In a mechanical toy, a support, a ball operated mechanism on thesupport, areversible ball magazine movablycarried on the support fordelivering the balls to the me'chanism and receiving balls from themechanism, and a single escapement passage for controlling delivery ofthe balls.

8. In a mechanical toy, a base, a rocking l frame supported above thebase having an extension thereon projecting through the base, toyligures movably supported above the base, means extending under the baseconnecting the figures with said extension whereby the igures are causedto move when the rocking frame is Operated, and a ball mechanismorrocking the frame including a ball transfer arm on the rocking frame,a reversible ball magazine having two ball delivery channels,and asingle escapementelement adapted to ycontrol deliveryof the balls to thetransfer arm. Y y In testimony whereof I have hereunto set Y m hand.

y CHARLES ZABEL.

